Great Falls Dam, completed in 1916 by the Tennessee Electric Power Company for the purpose of power…read moregeneration, was bought by TVA in 1939. Great Falls is one of seven dams acquired by TVA from private companies, and it's the only TVA dam located outside the Tennessee River watershed. Great Falls Dam is a hydroelectric facility. It has two generating units with a net dependable capacity of 36 megawatts. The dam is also notable for its design, utilizing a mostly underground conduit to carry water from the reservoir via a tributary to the Power House three quarters of a mile downstream from the dam the intakes are 14' in diameter and feed the two generators located in the circa 1955 brick powerhouse.

You are passing through old mining towns. Back when railroad was king, people in these parts were…read morebustling and working hard in the coal mines. Nowadays, most people overlook this small museum when passing through. It's rather unpretentious. But if you are a history nerd like me you'll see that there is so much to this small section house and slam on your breaks so you can take a look. I was so lucky to pass through on a day when the museum was open. Inside you'll find this is an archivist's dream. There are annals and books and records by the dozen. If you have any curiosity at all about coal, railroading, local geography or county history or looking up an old family member than you have come to the right place. Community leaders, family members, retired workers, people who have settled here for years donated historical things to this museum. And what the museum has done is replicated what an old home in the area might look like. And it has replicated the feeling you get in a small town when all fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and uncles are working in mines for a living. The illnesses and hospital records. The old maps trekking railroad connections. The pride in you work. Gosh, stepping in you realize this 'replica' of a mountain home and the 'replica' of a miner's life is not really a faraway idea. After all, you are walking all around it. In fact, it's so close that the son or granddaughter of all the people showcased on the walls are actually standing in front of you giving you a tour. And you realize you have stepped inside living history and the heart of the local community. And that railroading was not that long ago actually. Progress and innovation aside, coal mining is damn hard work, for sure. Visit to the museum = free. Getting to know the community sharing oral history =free. The cost for thanking a coal miner = free. The whole experience = priceless.

Andrew gave us a great tour! So much to see and many interesting facts! The guys working there…read moreenjoyed telling us information as much as we enjoyed hearing them. There were artifacts donated from all over the world. We will go back again to see things that I'm sure we missed!

Small museum with history buffs showing you around. We spent a couple of hours as there was so much…read moreto see.

Very cool place awesome hike. Dipping in the water on a hot day was amazing. All kinds of beautiful…read morenature and sounds. Brought a publix sub from florida to enjoy out here

Rock Island State Park has a strange layout but is jam-packed with interesting sites. If you stop…read morein the Visitor Center, they have maps and written directions on how to hit the highlights easily. You can view different falls, cascades, flow stones, and more from short distance strolls to overlooks, or delve deeper into the gorge for a closer view. Swimming is not permitted except in certain areas, so take notice, people have drowned here. Be careful when hiking and exploring the floor of the gorge as the dam can release water with limited warning. That being said, the Twin Falls and Great Falls are lovely, and the diverse landscape keeps the walk extremely interesting! Me and the dog did the Upstream and Downstream trails on the Twin Falls side, and the Gorge Trail on the Great Falls side, and while Dianne, they are steep and slippery, so wear proper shoes!

First week of June 2024 I love stopping here EVERY trip to…read morethe Smokeys! Such a beautiful area!! A must see at least once!!!! a very nice gift shop and VERY CLEAN restrooms!!

We we're here for a wedding ceremony. The wedding venue is maybe 30 steps up to a platform…read moreoverlooking the water. It's really pretty, but does not fit a large number of guests. It was perfect for the wedding we attended. The only drawback was that on a Saturday around 5 pm there was multiple motorcycles coming to the area. It was very loud and difficult to hear people talking for the ceremony.

It doesn't get any cooler than bells Tavern it was directed by William Bell in 1830 it was a…read morestagecoach stop with the lines about people from the mammoth caves when they were first promoted

We got so many pictures with something in them and the tour guide was so nice and helpful would go…read moreagain!

Great historic place to visit. Sit down stories with me and the kids with "Bear" in the parlor were…read morevery informative and treat.

We stopped at Onyx Cave on a total whim during our road trip and so glad we did. This was the…read moreperfect little adventure break, especially with kids. I have a 3 and 5 year old and they both LOVED it. It's short, sweet, and just enough "wow" without being overwhelming. The cave itself is really cool, with some tighter crevices that made it feel a little adventurous (my kids thought that was the best part), but nothing too difficult or strenuous. If you're worried about that--don't be. It's super manageable and moves at a good pace. Price-wise, it felt totally worth it for a family stop. They've also got a little gift shop at the end which my kids obviously needed to check out lol. If you're passing through, just stop. It's a fun, easy memory to make and doesn't take up your whole day. Would 100% do it again.

Super cute and quick cavern tour off the highway home to Cincinnati…read moreBelieve it to be family run and owned very knowledgeable about the caves and cave systems and how they came to be found child friendly, but some spots can get very claustrophobic

The Hiwassee Dam is a little bit of a detour from Murphy, NC. But I highly recommend a stop. The…read moredam is hydroelectric and is remarkable to see just the size of it. You can drive over it too. I wasn't sure at the time if I could take a walk on it so I behaved myself this time. There appeared to be sidewalks on both sides in sections so I will do that next time. The dam is 307 feet high and holds 67 billion gallons of water. Hiwassee Lake is about 22 miles. The dam took 1600 men four years to build before being completed in 1940. At the time it cost $24 million to build. The dam generates enough electricity for 28,000 homes. The views are breathtaking here so if you are in the area this remarkable piece of work.

If you're in the Murphy area, or planning a trip out to the falls, and enjoy being outdoors, be…read moresure to take a quick detour and venture into easily accessible Hiwassee. Surrounded by the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests - This cozy and colorful park has a lot to offer, including a rich habitat for deer, wild turkey and other animals. Have your camera ready to snap memorable moments, scenery and wildlife. Built in the 1940's, the Hiwassee Dam is largely known to locals as 1 of 32 dams built & planned to provide flood control, navigation and electricity for the region. Today, this piece of history is known as one of the top 5 things to do/points of interest for those visiting Murphy. Upstream from Apalachia Reservoir, the river stretches for 22 miles northwest to southeast. The Pros: - Great for picnics. - Free and easy to locate parking. - The area features a day-use park that provides access to boating, fishing and paths for exploring the Hiwassee Reservoir and its tributaries. - The area is isolated and not overloaded with people/tourists (even during season). On most occasions you will find yourself alone and have this stunning area all to yourself. It's well suited for canoeing & rafting. - The dam is close to Cherokee, the falls and many of Murphy's other "must-see" areas. Prior to your trip, consider these tips: - Check out & research the weather conditions prior to making your plans to venture out onto the roads, or into the water. The reservoir comes from deep below the surface and the water temperature is super chilly, even in the summer. - Keep an eye out for snakes! - If it's summer, be sure to pack bug spray and sun screen. Fun Facts: - The dam is known as a historical landmark used by the Navy Bureau of Ordnance for torpedo testing into the deep water, and the isolation provided by its mountainous environs. - The dam is currently operational and still providing electricity today.